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Mayor Brown, BUDC Kick Off 2015 Holiday Edition of Queen City Pop Up

by bmerriweather

Tue, Nov 10th 2015 01:00 pm

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Buffalo - On November 9, 2015, Mayor Byron W. Brown, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC), Buffalo Place and Working for Downtown kicked off the 2015 Holiday Edition of Queen City Pop-Up at 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 115 located along the 500 block of Main Street. Queen City Pop-Up is downtown's first pop-up retail program designed to encourage retail activity along Main Street by creating new "pop-up" shops that feature local retailers. The project activates empty storefronts by filling them with retailers on a short term basis, free of charge. Key Success, LLC and Ciminelli Real Estate have agreed to sponsor the retail space for Queen City Pop-Up participants.

Mayor Brown stated, "The city's investment in the 'Cars Sharing Main Street' project, recent improvements to Fountain Plaza and programs like Queen City Pop-Up are helping to attract more people to downtown Buffalo and that's increasing economic opportunity for our established businesses while opening the doors to new investment and infrastructure along Main Street."

A Request for Proposals was issued in October to identify local retailers interested in participating in this downtown retail effort. A selection committee, comprised of representatives from the Queen City Pop-Up partner organizations, reviewed the proposals and determined the program finalists. Four local retailers were selected to participate this year: Buffalo Barkery, Rudeboyz Artworks, Rare Rustic Crafts, Talisman Jewelry by Mila. These small businesses offer a unique mix of items including Buffalo themed dog treats, urban art and specialty clothing, natural artisan bath and body products, hand crafted jewelry, accessories and gifts.

The goal of the Queen City Pop-Up program is not only to activate storefronts but also to inspire participating retailers to locate their retail operations on downtown Main Street. As a result of the positive experience with Queen City Pop-Up, Buffalo Adore and Rust Belt Love have opened shops in the historic Market Arcade Building. Yar Mo's Muse has opened a vintage clothing boutique at 700 Main Street and MMW Style Studio has permanently located in the Brisbane Building.

Brandye Merriweather, BUDC Vice President of Downtown Development says, "This is the outcome that we envisioned when we designed the Queen City Pop-Up Program. The program is gaining momentum and we are excited to see our Queen City Pop-Up participants taking their businesses to the next level."

Queen City Pop-Up: 2015 Holiday Edition will run from November 9, 2015 through Christmas Eve. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon - 5:00 p.m. For more information contact Brandye Merriweather, BUDC Vice President of Downtown Development at 716-362-8373 or go to www.buffalourbandevelopment.com, www.buffaloplace.com or www.workingfordowntown.org.